Littleton Board of Selectmen-Meeting
Minutes-November 10, 2004
LITTLETON BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
LITTLETON OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM
NOVEMBER 10, 2004
Present: Chairman Burt Ingerson, Selectman George Hicks, Selectman Bill Hight, Town Manager Jason Hoch, Executive Assistant Cheryl Sargent
Selectman Hight moved to go into Non-Public Session at 3:30 pm for the purpose of interviewing a potential new member to the Conservation Commission. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
The Selectman returned from Non-Public Session at 3:45 pm. There was no decision made at this time.
Chairman Ingerson opened the Selectmen’s Meeting at 4:00 PM.
Veronica Francis from Notchnet and Mike Krejci from Wicked Wi-Fi updated the Selectmen on their plans to bring wireless internet access to Littleton. Currently there are only two access points in Littleton for wireless internet. One location is at Notchnet and the other location is Flora Latte. Wicked Wi-Fi is looking for affordable solutions for managing a wireless internet hot zone on Main Street. Once the hot zone is defined, they will be prepared to offer businesses as well as the Town Office a complete wireless package including installation, management, marketing assistance and front-end technical support. NCIA has been chosen to provide internet feed for the proposed project from their office over the Jax Jr. building. Signull Technologies will provide discounts on hardware as well as use of their software and technical support for Wicked Wi-Fi projects.
Veronica told the Selectmen that the City of Manchester has completed a project similar to the one proposed and they are very happy with it. Veronica and Mike had a chance to visit Manchester and see the program in action.
The Opera House has been identified as the best location for the two proposed antennas and radios which will access Main Street, due to the fact there is a clear line of sight down Main Street. Another antenna and radio will be located at NCIA”s network operations center above the Jax Jr. building. None of the antennas will be visible from the street. Because there are different broadband channels in operation, there should be no problem with interference to fire and police radio transmissions.
Selectman Hight moved to allow a demonstration trial of the program and to have Mike and Veronica come back in 4-6 months with data. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
Eddy Moore cautioned the Selectmen against letting different individuals free use of town property too extensively as this could be setting an undesirable precedent.
Bruce Hadlock advised the Selectmen he is very concerned with the high tax rate in Littleton. He said Littleton is now the 10th highly taxed town in New Hampshire. He stated the town must look ahead to curbing spending. They may need to consider cutbacks and layoffs. The school as well as the town will need to work together to cut back on spending. He stated as of now, nothing is being done to save money at either the school level or the town level. He sited examples such as the new school addition, the ladder truck and the pedestrian bridge which he said were expenses which the voters should have had more say on. He noted in the past, a Littleton Town Manager had been fired for overspending the town budget.
Jason Hoch encouraged Bruce to communicate with his senators and state representatives. Cut-backs in educational funding have left the Towns to make up the differences which has caused an increase in the tax rates of many towns. Jason is hopeful a new Governor will make a difference. The Selectmen will encourage our state representatives to come into Selectmen’s Meeting on a regular basis so that we will know what is going on in Concord and not be blindsided as we have been in the past. As for the ladder truck; Jason said, the Selectmen went out of their way to solicit public input in the newspapers, radio and Channel 2 and put off their decision until they had heard from the public. There was very little input and no one came forward with any questions or concerns.
Khonie Poulsen stated that Health Officer “Doc” Hill had condemned her house on Saranac Street today. Jason stated he had not received any communication either written or verbal from the Health Officer regarding this matter which surprised him as he had been accused by the Health Officer of not communicating with him.
Jason noted there have been four applicants who have applied for the Fire Chief position which have made it to the next step in the selection process. They will be interviewed by three panels and the Town Manager on Monday, November 15, 2004. Jason stated he is very pleased with the applications he has received from interested candidates for this position.
Mike Stein from Woodard and Curran is working on a cost benefit ratio on the sewer collection system data. He will assist the Town in prioritizing which projects come next according to what the Town can afford to do..
The back- in parking experiment is in place in the parking lot on Pleasant Street and appears to be working well. Signs have been posted to assist drivers in the process.
Town Clerk Judy White and Jason did a pre-election TV spot for Channel 2. There will be a follow up meeting soon to discuss the pros and cons of this election day process.
The Police Facility Committee met last week. They are currently working on trimming size and space needs of the proposed plan. They will meet next week and update Jason on their progress.
Jason has met with the Community House Board of Trustees regarding their budget and fee schedule. They also discussed the possibility of converting the front parking area into municipal parking.
Jason and Karen Noyes have been in contact with the Laconia Savings Banks to discuss investment management in an attempt to find a greater rate of return on our investments.
The Budget Committee will begin their series of meetings on Thursday. This year their budget will include the default budget line which they will need to consider in case the budget does not pass at Town Meeting.
With the departure of Fred Gilbert from the Police Department, we have lost the service of K-9 Jenny. Officer Fein is working on obtaining a new K-9. A potential K-9 dog has been identified. Wizard is a 20-month old german shepard which could be trained in dual purpose duty, working in drug detection as well as patrol. Officer Fein and Wizard would need training and certification. The dog would be donated but the Town would have to provide the training and certification.
DES has notified the Town that there is currently a shortage of septage disposal sites in New Hampshire. Using Littleton’s Treatment Plant as a disposal site would provide a significant reimbursement of equipment costs as well as a continuous source of revenue to the Town. Jason will be meeting with DES next week and will bring back further information on this matter.
Brien Ward reminded those present that the 12th Economic Development Task Force Luncheon will be held on November 22nd at the Elks Club at 11:30 am. He went on to say that the Task Force will be disbanding as they have completed what they set out to do. At some future date, there may be a need to get the committee back together.
Selectman Hight moved to approve the minutes of October 27, 204 as amended. The motion was seconded by Selectman Hicks and carried 3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 5:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl Sargent,
Executive Assistant
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Chairman Burton E. Ingerson
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Selectman William R. Hight
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Selectman George O. Hicks